I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman issued a joint press release (a lot of these from the new senators lately) showing their support for the signing of the stimulus package into law by President Obama today. In fact, the release hit my inbox within minutes of Obama’s signing of the bill in Denver.
“The goal of this law is to reduce the length and severity of the recession that is hurting New Mexico families. All told, our state will see more than $1.6 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding, combined with the tax cuts for working families contained in the new law, will create more than 22,000 jobs in New Mexico and help get our economy back on track,” Bingaman said.
“Over $1.6 billion from the economic recovery package President Obama has signed into law will be invested in long-term projects that will make a difference for the people of New Mexico,” said Udall. “By cutting taxes and injecting funding towards school modernization, clean energy jobs, public lands and small business we can help reinvigorate America’s economy and create jobs here at home.”
We’ve heard the number $1.1 billion a lot for New Mexico, but where is this $1.6 billion for New Mexico coming from?
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will send $1.1 billion to the state through formula grants — funds that will flow on a formula basis from federal agencies to state agencies. Because of an amendment Bingaman attached to the bill during its consideration at the Senate Finance Committee, New Mexico will get an additional $638 million in funding through Medicaid that can be used to expand and improve health care, as well as for other needs the state has identified. Finally, New Mexico will have an opportunity to apply directly to the federal government for additional grants, including funding for border law enforcement agencies.
You can follow where the money is going at Recovery.gov.
Bingaman and Udall also had their hands in the writing of portions of the bill. Bingaman secured a 30 percent tax credit for companies that invest in facilities to manufacture renewable energy technologies. This would include solar panel manufacturers.
Udall gained unanimous support for a provision that expanded tax incentives for veterans. It was originally only for veterans discharged from 2008, 2009 and 2010, but with Udall’s amendment was expanded to veterans discharged from U.S. armed forces from September 2001 through December 2010.
